Thomas hugh gobdon



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

T. H. GORDON.

MAIL BAG FASTENING.

Patented Deb. 27, 1887.

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T E-GORDON.

MAIL BAG FASTENING.

N-0. 375.446. Patented Dec. 2-7, 1887.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS HUGH GORDON, OF BALDWINSVILLE, NEWV YORK.

MAIL-BAG FASTENING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 375,446, dated December 27, 1887.

Application filed July 23, 1887. Serial No. 245,126. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, THOMAS HUGH GOR- DON, of Baldwinsville, county of Onondaga, in the State of New York, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-l3ag Fastenings, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in mail-bag fastenings.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple, strong, and durable fastening, and at the same time one which can be manufac tured at small expense, and readily applied to new bags, or to-the bags in use at the present time.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation showing the bag locked. Fig. 2 is'an elevation showing the same unlocked. Fig. 3, is a sectional elevation on line m 00 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a vertical section on line a a. Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an elevation showing a modification of the invention and showing the bag locked. Fig. Gshows the same unlocked.

The bag proper is an ordinary mailbag, having one side, h, longer at the mouth and folding over the other side, 1', thereby forming the flap g. Midway in the flap are a number of staples, a and a, transversely across the bag, and secured to the flap by the plates j. Vheu the flap is folded over the mouth of the bag, the looped ends of the staples a and a project through slots 1) and b in the, sides h and e, forming an eye. Underneath the staples a is another row of smaller staples, b, fastened to the side h. The belt is an open linked chain belt. The open sides of the links d slide through the eyes formed by the ends of the staples a. The closed sides of the links a slide through the eyes formed by the ends of the staples a. The closed sides of the links 0 slide through the eyes formed by the staples b, thus allowing the chain to be thrown or hinged over where the projecting ends of the open sides of the link d pass from under the staples a.

On the outer end of the last link is fastened an automatic spring-lock, e. When the to slide through staples.

bag is fastened, this look covers the staple a and looks through its eye. When a wide bag is used, necessitating longer links, small pins 0 may be attached to one side, as shown in Fig. l, midway between the staples a, so as to project through the other side when the bag is closed, thus more effectually closing the mouth of the bag.

A modification is represented in Figs. 5 and 6. This construction is considered better when very wide bags are used. The chain belt is divided into two parts having the lock and hasp I attached to the ends. When locked, the hasp Z is first put over the staples m and the lock is then attached. The object is to span a wide bag without too many links being attached continuously.

It will be noticed in the drawings that the openings in the links of the chain belt are made wider at the end nearest the lock and reduced in the width of opening as they approach the opposite end. The object of this is to allow the links to be entered through the staples consecutively-a feature which is desirable in closing a bag which is more than ordinarily full of mail-matter.

The several points of superiority found in my invention are,'saving in the time of fastening and unfastening, durability and cheapness in the cost of manufacturing, safety in the rough usage of the mail service, and the perfect flexibility, enabling it to conform to the contour of the bag in any position.

I am aware that links chained together are used in connection with mail-bag fastenings, as shown in Snyders patent, No. 286,337, October 9, 1883; but I wish to patent as new the device consisting of one set only of guidestaples, and allowing the belt to hinge back when the bag is unlocked.

I am aware that mail-bag fastenings have been used consisting of pronged links arranged Therefore I do not claim such invention, broadly.

.Having thus described my invention,whatI claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

In a mail-bag having staples, a chain having rectangular links clasped together at the middle of their ends and cut away on one In witness whereof I have hereunto set my side,leavingprojecting ends which are adapted hand this 13th day of July 1887. to slide through the staples a a a, the close sides of said links being held to the mail- THOMAS HUGH GORDON. 5 bag by staples b I) b, in combination with the lock 0, hinged directly to the said links, all In presence of-- substantially as shown, and for the purpose set C. XV. SMITH, forth. 1?. A. WEs'roN. 

